Charlie Kruel is one of my favorite wrestlers on the independent scene. Let me correct myself. Charlie Pierce is now one of my favorites.
Charlie Kruel continues to evolve in and out of the ring. Recently, she changed her name from Kruel to Pierce. She's a bit edgier.
Before the change though, Charlie Kruel sent a shout out to Johngy's Beat. I return the favor and encourage all to check out Charlie Pierce on social media and at a wrestling show if possible.
Whether she is Kruel or Pierce (or any future incarnation), she has the talent and charisma to be a success in wrestling. I'll be watching and cheering throughout her journey.
While covering Girl Fight Wrestling, I interviewed Charlie Kruel. Otherwise known as Hardcore Charles, the Purple-Haired Maniac and the Beautiful Nightmare, Charlie is an exciting young wrestler.
Debuting in 2017, Charlie started in the southern Indianapolis area. Since then, she really has developed quickly. She has wrestled all over the country.
After interviewing her, I really wanted to see her wrestle, but she hadn't come to the Chicago area. Finally last year, 2econd Wrestling brought in Charlie for a show and she did not disappoint.
Of course, I brought a box of PopTarts for her. One of her gimmicks (or characters) loves PopTarts or maybe Charlie herself loves PopTarts. You never know with Charlie.
Charlie gets it. At the young age of 25, Charlie understands character development and ring psychology. She is still developing, but she is a wrestler on the rise.
I only saw her that one time, but I hope to see her again. Chicago promoters should bring in Charlie. She is one of the brightest young women out there.
A couple years ago, wrestler Charlie Kruel was one of the first people I interviewed remotely. She was promoting her appearance for Girl Fight Wrestling, the company Mad Man Pondo runs. That interview is at On the Beat With Charlie Kruel on the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel.
Charlie is an excellent young wrestler, but an even more impressive young woman. She openly discusses her autism and her battles with depression. She is courageous and wants to help others.
Earlier this year, Charlie was kind enough to send a shout out to Johngy's Beat. In turn, I encourage all to check out Charlie on social media and wherever she wrestles. Oh and bring PopTarts.
She's the purple haired maniac. She's the beautiful nightmare. She's Charlie Kruel and she recently joined me “On the Beat” for Global Women's Sports Radio.
Not a lot is known about the background of Kruel. On her social media page, she bills herself as “the cutest purple haired, energetic, ditzy, horror loving maniac in professional wrestling.” In watching her matches on YouTube and talking to her in our interview, I can confirm that is is all of those things.
In our interview, I learned that Masuku is her best friend. Not much is known about Masuku either, not even its' gender, if it has a gender. Obviously, Masuku is very important to Kruel. To some it may be just a mask, but to Kruel, it is much more. In the future, I hope to learn more about Masuku, if Kruel allows me.
It is said that she “escaped from Death Row,” but I did not broach this subject. Some things are better left for future interviews, especially when talking to a purple haired maniac.
With only three years of training and two years of in-ring experience, Kruel is young and early in her career, but her skill level, both in character and ability, is that of a more seasoned veteran. It's another example of the many dimensions of Kruel.
She can go from being the cute wrestler who wants to play patty-cake to the screaming maniac who wants to kick your butt, even if she bleeds doing it. It's a fascinating juxtaposition and one which is ever-evolving. It's what makes fans love her, no matter if she is heel or face.
I did ask Kruel about Charlie Kruel: Escape From VHS Hell, a book written by the talented John Cosper of EatSleepWrestle.com. This is the origin story of Charlie Kruel. It's an interesting tale for fans of Kruel, wrestling, horror films and anyone else who likes a unique story filled with colorful characters, the most colorful of whom is this purple haired maniac.
Kruel is one of the many talented women wrestlers who will be doing battle as Epic Wrestling Entertainment presents Girl Fight Wrestling Jawbreaker on September 26, 2020. Held at Park Memorial UMC in Jeffersonville, IN, Jawbreaker promises to be a fantastic night of women's wrestling.
Kruel will face “Small and Mean” Salena Dean. This is the first meeting for the two at Girl Fight Wrestling. Dean was trained by Abyss, Chris Harris and Roger Ruffen. At 5'9” and 180 pounds, with 12 years in the ring, Dean tops Kruel in size and experience. That doesn't always matter in wrestling and it definitely doesn't matter to Kruel. She's ready for the fight.
The main event features Mickie Knuckles facing Su Yung. From seeing Knuckles up close during her time with Resistance Pro Wrestling, I know she is as tough as they come in the ring. Yung is a former Impact Knockouts champ, who will bring the fight to Knuckles. This bout alone is worth the price of admission.
Listening to Kruel talk about Girl Fight Wrestling, you can tell what it means to her. Without disparaging other women's companies, Kruel speaks of the uniqueness of Girl Fight Wrestling, her respect for the company and for Mad Man Pondo.
Don't let this side of Kruel fool you though. At Girl Fight Wrestling's Jawbreaker, Kruel will be looking for destruction.
Check GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage of Girl Fight Wrestling. Also, check Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook to get more frequent updates.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.
While helping spread the word about Girl Fight Wrestling, I had the pleasure of interviewing wrestler Charlie Kruel. I had heard of Charlie prior to the interview and liked what I saw from her, but I didn't know a lot. Actually, as only a three year or so veteran of the ring, there isn't a ton to learn yet, but there will be.
The purple haired maniac is talented in the ring, on the mic and with fans. Along with her best friend (or best mask) Masuku, Charlie is winning over fans big time. Whether wrestling as a fan favorite or a heel, Charlie is getting thunderous cheers.
As I learned in our interview, Charlie's wrestling heroes are AJ Lee, Jeff Hardy and Jon Moxley, but in 2016, she was very happy to meet the legendary wrestling manager Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart. Charlie met Hart at Indy Pop Con and was "beyond happy" because he was so nice. I have not met Charlie in person, although many of my friends have (like Troy Babbs!), but I am sure her legion of fans feel the same way about meeting her.
Charlie is definitely on my radar for upcoming wrestling shows. I hope a Chicago area promoter brings in Charlie. I'll be there and hope to get an update interview if it happens.
